The First Trill

Posted on 04 Aug 2025 @ 5:36pm by Lieutenant Karyn Somers & Ensign Cael Maz

1,736 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Orientation Posts
Location: Starbase 51/Various
Timeline: Current

[ON]

Karyn was on duty when a new assignment arrived. She looked it up and exclaimed, "Wow, a Trill!" before heading straight to Arrivals and pulling out her Padd to see what he looked like. It took a moment, but she spotted him as he emerged from the transport, so she walked over to him.

"Hello, Ensign Maz?" she greeted. "I am Lieutenant Karyn Somers, Starbase Security, and we just received word of your arrival. I will take you through your orientation," she added.

Maz had one bag slung over his shoulder as he looked around the base. It had been a while since he'd been to a proper starbase, and he knew each one had its unique features and style. As he looked back down, he noticed someone of a higher rank approaching him. He unstrapped his bag, set it by his side, and saluted. "Reporting for duty, Lieutenant."

"At ease, Ensign," Karyn said, straightening her Shoulder Crossbelt with a pouch on her back over the white band at the base of her shoulders. "Let's go, Ensign. A new mission briefing is about to begin, and we need to get you there. So, pick up your kitbag and let's go," said Somers.

"Aye, ma'am," Maz replied with a nod as he reached down and took his bag in hand, then began to follow Somers step by step. His eyes darted around as he watched people move about the station with quicker-than-normal speed. oO Busy place. Wonder if it's always this lively. Oo," he thought to himself.

Karyn led the new arrival through arrivals and into the turbolift. When the doors closed, "Security Office," she said, and the lift began to move.

"Normally, your orientation would include a tour of the Tomcat, but as a mission briefing is getting underway, we have to cut corners and forego the tour. Your immediate superiors are Lieutenant Serina Donovan, Commander Air Group, and her Deputy Lieutenant, Paul Winchester, DCAG. You will likely meet them in the briefing. Any questions so far?" she asked, ending with a question.

Maz took a few seconds and thought it over. "Good to know, and no, I have no questions, Ma'am." He would save any questions he had for later. He did look over the ship's specifications on the way here, at least what he was privy to.

- Security Office -

The pair exited the lift and entered the security office, where they walked through to the Security Chief's Office. "Good, she is out on rounds. Have a seat, Ensign," Karyn said, indicating the seat in front of the desk. As she sat, she pulled up the officer's service file, which had a machine embedded into the wall on her right, and began to print the required items.

"So you have joined the Tomcat as a pilot. Your Callsign will be Raider Four. You will be part of the 100th Squadron, which is part of the 30th CAW on the Tomcat. I will warn you ahead of time, the 101st is a Marine Squadron, and the 102nd is a Klingon Squadron. They are good if you want to get drunk quickly when off duty," Karyn said, tapping information into the officer's file.

"Any questions about your Squadron?" she asked as the first of three items appeared in the tray.

Maz took the offered seat and listened carefully before responding. "Downside to me, depending on who you ask: I don't drink, as I am rather unable to do so due to certain medications. I might be the odd man out for a while, I suspect. Anyone specific I need to look out for the most?"

"Not to my knowledge, Ensign", Karyn said without looking up. She looked over at the dispenser and picked out an ID Card that had Caels' image and some basic data on it. She turned to face him and held out the first of three items.

"Okay, this is your ID card. It must be worn at all times when on duty on the ship. The only time it should be removed is if you are assigned to an Away Team on a mission; then, it is left on the ship. Off duty, it is to remain on your person, especially if you are off duty on the Tomcat. On the Starbase, it is not mandatory to wear or display the badge. Any questions about the ID card before we move on?" she said, and ended with a question.

Maz looked over the ID card. It was the first time he had seen a ship use one of these. "Hmm, interesting." He said. He was sure there was a reason for it that would come up in conversation somewhere down the line. If it was essential to the ship, then it was important to him. "No, ma'am. First, I have heard of a ship using one, but I am sure there is a good reason."

"The Tomcat operates out in the wilds of Federation space; the Mira Sector has minimal Starfleet backup as it is so far out, so the ID Card and the following Security measures are required for security reasons", Somers said.

"Makes sense to me," Maz said after a few seconds to consider all the options that could go wrong in any given moment.

With a nod, Karyn took out a strip of red paper with a black alpha-numeric code on it and held it out to the Ensign "This is a one-time, one-use code. Memorise it and destroy the strip of paper; this code will lock out the ship's computer should all senior officers be incapacitated and you are not. Should any invaders try to break in, it will wipe the ship's database, as the Tomcat is one of the more powerful ships operational in the Mira Sector; it contains the security codes for the entire sector. Any questions so far?" Somers asked.

Maz took the strip of paper and began to review it. "Very detailed. It might take me a moment to memorise it." He said Look it over time and time again. "No questions," he stated as he continued to recite it internally. Both Cael and Maz concentrated fully on it.

Karyn finished typing something on her computer, then signed off as she looked at him "After the briefing, you need to seek out Lieutenant Serina Donovan and or Lieutenant Paul Winchester, the CAG and DCAG, respectively. Any final questions, Ensign?" Karyn asked.

Cael shook his head, "None at this time. Thank you for this opportunity." He smiled with a nod.

oO Few never ask questions, this is going to go well Oo Karyn thought to herself and looked at the Ensign, "Okay, Ensign, let's get you to the briefing, if you pick up your kitbag and follow me I will escort you there" Karyn said, standing u,p tugging down her tunic and straightening her crossbelt and exiting the inner office.

As the pair left security, they headed to the nearest turbolift, and when they entered and the doors closed, "Tomcat docking bay", Karyn said, and the lift whisked them to their destination.

As they were on their way, Karyn spoke, "Have you seen the inside of an Akira Class Ensign?" She asked.

"I have not yet had the pleasure. Been a part of a few classes in my youth. Normandy was a Nova-class Science variant. Before that, Maz was part of a few medical ships before me. Made it to Lieutenant with her previous host." Maz said as he readjusted his bag on his shoulder.

The lift stopped at the docking area, and she led the pilot out and entered the area. The large windows showed the outside of the Tomcat.

"There you go, Ensign, that is the outside of the Tomcat. She has been heavily redesigned to accommodate 70-something troop drop pods; the layout inside is practically the same as a standard Akira class. Okay, let's go," she said and led Maz down the umbilical walkway, and eventually they entered the lower levels of the ship "Never known the corridors to be this white, their old colour was metallic grey, this white is something from Kirk's time," she said, observing the pure white corridors. "You will see more of the ship on your own time, Ensign, but for now, I have to get you to the briefing", Karyn said.

Cael whistled a sound that would indicate he was impressed with the ship he was boarding, "White means a lot more cleaning," he said with a chuckle as he walked along the umbilical. "Briefing, right?" he said, making a note to keep up and not get too distracted along the journey.

As the pair walked down the corridors, they entered another lift, "Junior Officers' quarters" she said when the lift closed a short ride later they exited on the requested level "you are lucky Ensign, all Junior Officers Ensign or Second Lieutenant up get their own personal quarters, they are small, but quite comfortable as there is holo-emitters throught the ships even in your new quarters after clearing things with the Captain you might be able to have a holo pet" She said "the Enlisted crew get bunk style quarters, four to a bunk, so ocount your lucky stars" she said as they arrived at his assigned quarters.

"Okay, Ensign, remember where your quarters are, so dump your stuff and let's go and yes, corridors being white means more cleaning", she said with a smile.

Cael nodded and pressed his finger to the wall padd and watched as the door swished open. He stuck his head in long enough to toss a bag in the nearby quarters, "Shwifty," he said with a smile. He pulled his head out and nodded as the door closed behind him.

When ready, they left the quarters and headed to the nearest turbolift. The doors opened as they entered and closed when both were in "Briefing Level", she said, and the lift whisked them to the requested destination. Karyn stepped out of the lift, her charge behind her as they walked down the Corridor and approached the Tomcat briefing room, which was rather full.

[OFF]

 

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